Grand Teton 100 report- Ashley Nordell
17. Sep, 2009 
6 Comments
Grand Tetons Hundred 2009
I decided to run the Grand Tetons in a state of weakness after Bighorn was over and I saw that AC 100 was filled. Once I coerced my good friend Sean Meissner to come out to run the 50 and pace me the last 25, I booked a ticket. Things got even better when Sean said Jamie and David Donaldson would make the long drive to pace/crew too. I knew I was in good hands with this trio. I was beyond grateful that I had such wonderful people making a big effort to help me. The highlights of my weekend all revolve around the people I met and hung out with.
To begin with, Lisa and Jay Batchen are superb race directors, and put on an incredible event. They were so kind and supportive; I would make the effort to return just to do another race of theirs. Next, were my amazing crew of Jamie and David Donaldson. We had never even officially met before this race, and they drove almost 10 hours to help me. Every time I came into the main aid station they were ready with anything I needed. Just seeing them each loop was comforting. Matt Hart was also there to crew Ty, so he was another friendly face ready to help however needed. I ran my first trip up Fred’s Mountain with Ellen Parker from Seattle, WA. We talked so much we got teased by a guy on his way back down who told us he could hear us talking the entire climb. It made the trip go quickly, and Ellen is an extremely sweet person. I ran much of the rest of the first loop with Jody, a runner from Ashland, OR. I think we covered every subject possible in those 20 miles, and before I knew it, loop one was over. I ran loop two by myself, and after a second trip up Fred’s mountain, grabbed my I-Pod to help keep me going the next 20 miles. Towards the end of loop two I began to struggle a little with my stomach. I picked up Jamie at mile 50, and we took off again up Fred’s. I wanted to seem like I was running strong, so I tried to keep a decent pace. By the time we reached the top, my stomach felt awful. I sat a few minutes at the top, and then Jamie got me back on the trail. The down hills felt great; the up hills caused my stomach to rebel. This remained the case the rest of the run. Jamie was amazing- she kept me talking when I could, and pushed me to run he more runable sections. Even with me not feeling well, we were able to laugh at stories from David and the hitchhiker, to “Did you eat a jalapeno? Finally, it was time for my last loop. Sean was spent from his 4th place finish in the 50, so he found poor Jim to fill in for him, while he continued to crew me through the rest of the night. Jim and I had never met before, and I felt bad for what he was about to endure. I was reaching the point of where you just try to hold on and survive. Jim was incredible. He knew just when to talk, when to push, and when to let me try to get myself together. AND, he endured the short break on the top of Fred’s Mountain at 10,000 feet in the freezing wind where I paid the price of trying to swallow an S-cap on a rebellious stomach- sorry to all the wonderful aid station workers too, who pretended it was normal for someone to be sitting in their chair throwing up over the side. They just kept the conversation going and sent me on my way when I could stand again. I stopped eating after that, and went the last 20 miles on a cup of coke and the Clip from Jim. As we climbed the paved road the last time, we were able to turn off our lights and see the Tetons glowing in the full moon light. The final 5 miles were really special. Jim had received strict orders from Sean to not let me stop- so no more of me begging Jim to let me sleep for 60 seconds on the trail like I had earlier. We could go under 23 hours if we pushed- well, pushed by my standards, it really was probably a slow jog pace. Jim took this goal seriously, and did his best to get me going. I wasn’t doing a very good job of keeping up with him despite his best efforts to motivate me. When Jim said 2.5 miles to go, I almost cried. I didn’t care if it took me 45 minutes to go that final 2.5, I was almost DONE. With a mile to go, Jim asked if I had a ten-minute mile in me. “No,” I replied, so he said, “Let’s just enjoy it then.” And we did.
That night was the perfect ending to the trip- a huge bonfire with Bryon Powell, Ellen (who ran amazing in her first 100, 2nd woman), Sean, Jamie, David, Morrison, and Lane (from Georgia). I was finally able to eat, so I had my first “meal” of the day, a smore. I couldn’t of asked for a better group of people to spend the weekend with.
Gear Used- Two Nathan Quickdraw Thermal Handhelds, Petzl Headlight, Pearl Izumi Syncroseek Trail Shoes
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Awesome Ashley! I’m sooo happy you got to meet David and Jamie Donaldson – nicest people around!
Congrats on your win! I look forward to meeting you at some point.
Scott Jaime
Ashley,
Nice job this year representing Team PI/Smith at the 100 mile distance.
Ashley…
I almost lost it when I read Did you eat a jalapeno? What a fun time! Thanks for leeting us be apart of your run! You are amazing!
Ashley!! Congrats! You are such an inspiration–I love keeping track of what you are up to. This report paints a vivid pic for those of us who have yet to experience a 100, and I’m all the more impressed…
Hi Ashley,
Just found this write up – thanks so much for the kind words. It was a lot of fun pacing you, and yes, that last mile really was enjoyable. Congratulations again on such a great win and the course record, I was thrilled to have played a part in it.
Look forward to our trails crossing again.
Best wishes
Jim
Well, it means so much to this old man every time I pull on my “pearli bike clothes to know that Ashley’s connnected to the company. Here’s hoping for a 4500 mile season of biking. Tonight might be the last night below zero for the Minnesota winter. Spring’s ‘a comin’, heard the cardinals singing yesterday.
So pleased to read your description, Ashley….
Best to you for the 2010 Season
Mark